Tampa Bay beats Carolina in OT

Josh Freeman throws TD pass to Jackson with 12 seconds left in regulationdlina.

Published 5:14 PM EST Nov 18, 2012

Josh Freeman threw a touchdown pass to Vincent Jackson with 12 seconds left in regulation and another to Dallas Clark in overtime to help visiting Tampa Bay rally past Carolina.

The Panthers (2-8) took a 21-10 lead on Newton's 29-yard scoring strike to Brandon LaFell with 6:06 left, but the defense that had been so dominant all day was unable to come up with a stop down the stretch.

Freeman, who threw two early interceptions, hit Jackson for a 24-yard touchdown and hooked up with him again for the 2-point conversion to forge a 21-21 tie with 12 seconds left and force overtime. He then led the Bucs (6-4) 80 yards in eight plays and hit Clark for a 15-yard score on the first possession of overtime to give Tampa Bay its fourth straight win and its fifth in six games.

The Buccaneers scored on two of their first three possessions to take a 10-0 lead, but Captain Munnerlyn's 74-yard interception return for a touchdown turned the tide with 48 seconds left in the first quarter. Jonathan Stewart's 1-yard touchdown run - his first of the season - gave Carolina a 14-10 lead with 8:58 left in the half.

Tampa Bay missed an opportunity to go back in front early in the fourth quarter, but Doug Martin fumbled into the end zone - on fourth-and-inches from the 2-yard line - and the Panthers recovered for a touchback. Carolina answered with a seven-play, 80-yard drive capped by Newton's touchdown pass to LaFell.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Martin (138 rushing, 23 receiving) has gone over 100 yards from scrimmage in seven straight games, tying the team record set by James Wilder in 1984. The rookie also went over 1,000 yards for the season. … Munnerlyn's interception that went for a touchdown snapped a streak of 161 passes without a pick for Freeman. … Panthers WR Steve Smith had five catches for 61 yards, extending his franchise-record streak of consecutive games with a reception to 85.